Brazil forward Neymar has been ruled out of the World Cup after fracturing a vertebra in the closing stages of the 2-1 quarter-final win over Colombia on Saturday, his team said.
Neymar, who has scored four goals in the tournament, will miss the semi-final against Germany in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday (AEST) and the final should they progress. He is expected to be out for some weeks.
"Unfortunately, he's not going to be able to play," said Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.
"It's not serious in the sense that it doesn't need surgery, but he'll need to immobilise it to recover," he said after the player was taken straight to hospital from the stadium in Fortaleza.
Neymar, Brazil's poster boy and one of the world's most marketable players, has been driving his country's bid for a sixth world title with his goals and creative talent.
He went down after a challenge by Colombia's Juan Zuniga in the 88th minute and looked to be in considerable pain..
"We'll miss him," team mate Oscar said. "Whoever comes in in his place has to play as part of the team and beat Germany.
"The best thing we do is play as a team and I just hope that whoever comes in plays well," the attacking midfielder said.
The 22-year-old, who plays for Spanish club Barcelona, had to be carried off on a stretcher and was replaced by defender Henrique for the final minutes of the game.
Brazil captain Thiago Silva, who will also miss the semi-final after being booked, refused to blame Zuniga for the injury.
"Zuniga is not a bad guy. But at that moment he wasn't very prudent, he could have held up a bit, fouled in a different way."
He said now was the time for Brazil players to come closer together and show even more solidarity on the pitch.
"In those times it is when the team shows its strength," he said.
"Neymar is a very important guy for our group, we depend a lot on him. But potentially, this situation can mark a revolution for us, like 'let's win the Cup for Neymar'. This could help bring together the team even more," he said,.
The 22-year-old, who plays for Spanish club Barcelona, had to be carried off on a stretcher and was replaced by defender Henrique for the final minutes of the game.
"We lost Neymar on that play, and based on what I've seen, I think it's going to be tough for him to play," Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari had earlier told reporters.
Many Brazil fans had gathered outside the Fortaleza hospital, shouting "Forca Neymar" (be strong Neymar) as the player was being wheeled into the building.
Brazil will also be without captain Thiago Silva for the clash against Germany due to suspension, after he was booked against Colombia.
Neymar also received support from the country's president, Dilma Rousseff, who tweeted: "Like all Brazil I am one of those cheering from the sidelines for our star Neymar to get better."
I never meant to hurt Neymar: Zuniga
Colombia defender Zuniga said he did not deliberately try to hurt Brazil forward Neymar when he kneed him in the back on Saturday, fracturing his vertebra and ruling the marquee player out of the rest of the World Cup.
Brazil held on for a 2-1 quarter-final win over the Colombians but will be without Neymar against Germany in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday and the final should they progress.
"We wanted to score, and it was a tough game. Brazil was marking strongly. I hope it's nothing serious, let's pray to God," Zuniga told reporters.
"On the pitch I'm defending my shirt, my country, but I didn't expect him to fracture a vertebra. He is a great talent for Brazil and for the world."
Zuniga jumped into the back of Neymar and his knee struck the Brazilian's third vertebra two minutes from the final whistle, dealing a major blow to the hosts who are seeking a sixth world title.
"It's a normal action, I tried to shadow him," Zuniga said. "I was not thinking of hurting him. I was defending my country's colours."
"Sadly it happened this way. I hope he gets well, God willing," the Colombia defender said.
Neymar, who had netted four times in the tournament, will not require surgery but will be out for several weeks, team doctors said.
Reuters
Topics: soccer-world-cup, soccer, sport, brazil
0 comments:
Post a Comment